Posted on June 7, 2016 David Sherman
The United States Marine Corp came out with new statistics showing that only 276 Horney strike jets are airworthy, meaning there are over 1,000 strike jets not fit to fly the skies. That statistics also show, that only 42 of their 147 heavy-lift Super Stallion Md helicopters are fully operational
These are some alarming numbers, for one of the world’s strongest militaries. This situation can get much worst especially since the US military spending dropped to $560 Billion under president Obama’s administration. In 2010, the spending budget was as high as $691 Billion. Many people in the industry feel that we were put in these situations due to budget cuts, altercations with the Islamic State in Syria, and the wears and tears of the previous fights in Afghanistan and Iraq.
For the many aircrafts that are ground, the USMC is stuck waiting up to 18 months for parts, or they are pulling aircraft parts from decommissioned planes and using them on the aircrafts scheduled to fly out. In one case, they had grab parts from aircrafts on display in museums to keep a certain plane flying.
Sgt. Argentry Uebelhoer compares the situation saying,
“Imaging taking a 1995 Cadillac and trying to make it Ferrari,”.
Many military personnel are not taking a liking to the situation. While, Lt. Col. Matthew “Pablo” Brown, commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-533 feels that this situation is unfair for the younger personnel that joined Marines. Many of the highly trained and highly skilled mechanics have left the depots for aviation jobs in the private sector, leaving the newbies high and dry dealing with the complicated mechanism of NSN Parts.
Many soldiers and experts feel that these cost saving measures are affecting not only the military balance, but can affect all the lives of mechanics, pilots, and all that serve and protect us overseas.
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